What's it like to live with a BMW R1300GS? Find out here...

Tested by Richard Newland, MCN Editor

If I’d never ridden a GS, I suspect I wouldn’t be a fan. After all, they’re not conventionally beautiful, nor overly powerful, light, affordable or likely to elicit aching adoration from passers-by. But thankfully, I’ve ridden plenty of GSs, racking up in excess of 60,000 miles on them in the last 12 years – and I love them.

This new R1300GS promises more of everything (and less of some of the right things) than ever. On paper, it looks like the perfect big GS, but there’s only one way to find out – and that’s to smack out some miles. At time of writing, I’ve had it two weeks and already hit the first service, so need that completed before I can do more.

Once serviced, I’ll be using it to tour the UK, and hopefully across La Manche into that there Europe. I’ll also be exploring green lanes, trying a host of different tyre options, bolting on some choice accessories, and talking to owners about their experiences. First impressions are dominated by how effortlessly it shrinks distances, and how serenely fast it is on the move.

BMW R1300GS Option 719 Tramuntana quick specs

• Price: £19,290 (£24,180 as supplied)
• Engine: 1300cc dohc boxer twin
• Power: 143.5bhp @ 7750rpm
• Torque: 110lb.ft @ 6500rpm
• Seat height: 850mm
• Weight: 237kg (kerb)

Find all the latest updates below...